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Great white sharks are the biggest predatory fish in the world.
Close Encounter With a Great White Shark: Photos
Great white sharks are the biggest predatory fish in the world. And despite their mass, they can travel at ridiculous speeds, at over 35 miles per hour, to track their prey. Marine biologist Joe Butler traveled with two friends off Hans Bay, South Africa, in hopes of seeing some great whites. Which they did. See more of Butler's story on a new episode of This Happened Here on the Seeker Network. Shark Files: Shark Bite Risk Down 91 Percent Since 1950
Joe Butler
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"In order to bring them in closer, to give everyone a good look, the crew would employ a tuna head on the end of a long rope and drag it out of the way before the shark had a chance to grab it," Butler said. Shark Files: Great White Shark Photobombs Friend
Joe Butler
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This amazing photo, taken from inside the cage, shows the shark grabbing the bait before anyone had a chance to react. "There's actually quite a sobering moment when you realize that proverbially you're the fish out of water, this is their home, and you’re not actually supposed to be there," Butler said. Shark 'Highways' Crisscross The World: Photos
Joe Butler
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"I think a lot people have this image in their head of them being sort of an idealistic predator, but in reality these animals are still quite vulnerable. However, seeing them in their natural environment is something I would recommend to anyone in a heartbeat." Above, Butler (left), prepares to cage dive with his two classmates. Shark Files: Scary Footage Shows 15-Ft Great White In Mass.
Joe Butler
A shark attacked a surfer and tore off a “good chunk” of his arm off the French Indian Ocean island of La Reunion on Wednesday, according to officials and witnesses.
The man in his 40s, who was not named, was described as a “regular surfer” who was in “clear water” and in “very good weather conditions,” said lifeguards on the scene.
Witnesses said the man had “a good chunk of his arm torn off” in the attack, the 18th in those waters since 2011 — seven of which have been fatal.
Emergency doctors applied a tourniquet to the rest of the arm and he was taken to hospital still conscious.
La Reunion was plunged into shock in April when a shark attacked and killed a 13-year-old boy named Elio Canestri said to be a keen and talented surfer.
After that incident, France approved increased fishing of tiger and bull sharks in the marine reserve off La Reunion.
The plans included increased surveillance and protection nets, as well as a 50-percent boost in authorized shark-fishing trips.
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